Asymmetric dimethylarginine regulates the lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in macrophages by suppressing the activation of NF-kappaB and iNOS expression.

Two major effector systems are frequently implicated in the immune and endothelial cell alternations associated with inflammation. They include the enhanced production of reactive oxygen species and diminished bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO). Importantly, these processes can be regulated by endogenously produced methylarginines, inhibitors for NO derived from macrophages and endothelial cells.